A Public Indecency charge can stem from a night out in Old Town Fort Collins, a festival in Loveland, a hiking trail near Estes Park, or a campground in Red Feather Lakes. What may seem like a minor embarrassment in the moment can quickly become a criminal matter handled by the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office. Across Larimer County, from Fort Collins and Loveland to Wellington, Timnath, and Berthoud, these charges carry real penalties and, in some cases, sex offender registration requirements. Here is what you need to know.
Public Indecency Attorney in Fort Collins: What Is Public Indecency Under Colorado Law?
Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-7-301 defines Public Indecency as performing any of the following acts in a public place or where the conduct may reasonably be expected to be viewed by members of the public:
- An act of sexual intercourse
- Exposure of the genitals in a way likely to cause affront or alarm to another person
- A lewd fondling or caress of the body of another person
- A knowing exposure of intimate parts (not including the genitals) to satisfy a prurient interest
Public Indecency is a Class 1 petty offense for a first conviction, punishable by up to 6 months in the Larimer County Jail and fines up to $500.
Loveland Public Indecency Lawyer: Could a Public Indecency Conviction Require Sex Offender Registration?
This is the question most people never think to ask. Public Indecency alone does not automatically trigger sex offender registration in Colorado. However, prosecutors sometimes charge Indecent Exposure under C.R.S. § 18-7-302 alongside or instead of Public Indecency. Indecent exposure is a Class 1 misdemeanor on a first offense and can require sex offender registration. If the conduct involves a minor, the consequences become far more severe. Understanding exactly what charge you are facing, and what it could mean for your record, is why retaining an attorney immediately matters.
Cities and Towns in Larimer County Where Public Indecency Charges Arise
All Public Indecency cases in Larimer County are prosecuted by the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office (8th Judicial District) and heard in Larimer County Court in Fort Collins or Loveland. Charges arise throughout the county, including:
Fort Collins — Fort Collins Police Services; Old Town, CSU campus, and park areas
Loveland — Loveland Police Department; festival grounds, trails, and recreation areas
Estes Park — Estes Park Police and Larimer County Sheriff; tourist and outdoor recreation settings
Wellington and Timnath — local police and Larimer County Sheriff
Berthoud — Berthoud Police Department
LaPorte, Bellvue, Red Feather Lakes, Livermore — Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
Horsetooth Reservoir, Poudre Canyon, Roosevelt National Forest — Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers and Sheriff
Charged with Public Indecency in Larimer County? Call Today.
Whether you were cited in Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, or anywhere else in Larimer County, a Public Indecency charge deserves a serious defense. The risk of a criminal record, and in some circumstances, sex offender registration, is too high to navigate alone. Contact an experienced Colorado criminal defense attorney today for a confidential consultation.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Public Indecency, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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